If you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of this question then you shouldn’t feel obligated to make a choice between the two. A simple “BOTH” will do.
New Mexico lauds itself as the “Land of Enchantment.” After a brief, but inspiring 24 hours here I’d have to say we agree.
Though we flirted with international roaming charges and border check points due to our close proximity to Mexico please be assured we are NORTH of the border, but man the cuisine here would have you believe otherwise. Enter La Posta de Mesilla. Enough red and green chile love to go around for all in a compound originally constructed in the 1840’s, complete with insanely delightful Christmas decorations, talking parrots, a Toucan and what I’m sure is the best food in the town state northern hemisphere. Check out their menu here: http://www.laposta-de-mesilla.com/html/menu.html if ever your travels lead you this way. Fun fact: Back in the day this place used to hide Billy the Kid.
Las Cruces is quaint.
And then, White Sands happened. On a recommendation from a good friend in Austin we detoured 40 or so minutes out of the way, over the mountains and through a VERY active missile range and former test site for the atomic bomb (yes.) and on to White Sands. Over 275 miles of glowing, pristine, white desert sands housed in the Tularosa Basin- said to be one of the “world’s greatest wonders.” The sands make up the world’s largest gypsum dunefield and mirror the landscape on parts of Mars. Our very own mini Sahara desert nestled just North of the Organ Mountains. Every definition of the word “bliss” will suffice to sum up our experience at White Sands. “Complete happiness, spiritual joy, a stage which is above any emotional state that is characterized as peace or happiness…” We’ll let the pictures speak from here.
"It's all happening." 